Spring Racing is back – and we’ve once again tapped celebrity stylist Donny Galella for his insider read on what’s trending now and why it works trackside. Donny’s been a leading voice in Australian style for almost 20 years.
Importantly, Donny’s not just about the elites. Alongside dressing Hollywood A-listers like Drew Barrymore, he fills his socials with accessible fashion (such as favourite finds from places like Target). Donny is revered for confidence-first styling across all ages, sizes and budgets.
Fresh off recent work celebrating size-inclusive style, including a feature with Curve Rapport magazine, and a steady slate of TV appearances, Donny brings a runway-to-raceway lens to colour, print and silhouette choices that shine in daylight and on camera.
And he really knows Spring Racing – having often been called on to promote official press and launch events for the big race days, including being a guest at the star-studded Sydney Everest Carnival Long Lunch last month.
Discover more about Donny on his his official website and catch his latest updates on Instagram. Not only has Donny given us his trackside trends for 2025 – he’s picked out a few of his favourites matching each trend, all available for hire via ATD! Let’s dive in!
Polka Dots: Runway to Races
“Polka dots have always been around, but this season they’re everywhere,” Donny tells us. “We’ve seen them on the runways of Carolina Herrera, Jacquemus and Moschino.”
From small dots to oversized circles, and even 3D textural dots, there’s a spot for every style.
The Spring Colour Story (2025 edition)
Donny predicts we’ll see a lot of yellow, blue & orange this season, noting it will be “everything from pastels to bright bold vibrant shades”.
Yellow: “Expect a lot of yellow, especially butter yellow,” Donny says. “It showed up at Prada, Chanel, Bottega and Loewe runways, and we’re seeing it everywhere locally.”
Blue: “Cobalt blue is key,” says Donny, noting its presence on the catwalks at Valentino and Luar. It’s clean, modern and photographs beautifully. And of course, it’s the official colour for the Sydney Everest Race day.
Orange: “Thanks to Taylor Swift’s new album, Life of a Showgirl, orange is set to dominate,” Donny explains. “I love orange, especially a beautiful burnt orange – it’s flattering on so many people.”
Just remember, as Donny’s frames it, the best guide is your own joy: “Ultimately, choose colours you love. Colours that make you happy and feel confident.”
Sets & Suits
“Pant suits and two-piece sets are always a great race-day option, especially if the weather looks chilly or windy, or if you just want to mix it up from wearing a dress,” Donny says.
He recommends elevating sets with great heels, headwear and a clutch. “A sharp power suit always turns heads” proclaims Donny. He notes the recent passing of actor and style icon Diane Keaton, as a reminder of how to achieve the “perfect blend of masculine and feminine suiting”, that feels strong but still elegant.
The Drop Waist
The drop waist first emerged in the 1920s flapper era and according to Donny it’s having a “major renaissance”. “We’re seeing it on runways around the world and locally on red carpets.”
Look for elongated bodices that break low at the hip with soft, fluid skirts – elegant, modern and great in motion.
The Boho Effect
“Boho is back,” says Donny. He notes its popularity in the early 2000’s thanks to celebrities like Sienna Miller, but he’s definitely seeing a comeback. He credits the revival to the current Chloé direction under Chemena Kamali.
The mood of soft, romantic dressing really suits spring days at the races. “Think ruffles, sheer floaty fabrics, florals, flowing silhouettes and maxi-style dresses.” states Donny.
Raceday Codes, Donny’s Faves And Final Tips
Donny also shared some specific tips for a few of the most famous of race days.
For Derby Day, he notes: “It’s such a chic race day”. The theme is black and white, but Donny’s tip is to “keep it graphic and textured for impact.” Donny’s faves:
“Melbourne Cup is all about embracing bold spring colours,” he advises. Donny’s selections:
“Oaks Day is known for feminine styles – soft, flowy fabrics, lace, florals and pastels,” says Donny. His faves:
“My final style tip for any racing look: always wear amazing headwear,” Donny says. “It’s not often we get to wear headwear and go all-out glam – race day is the time.” Donny’s picks:
Donny’s Edit
To make things easy for you, Donny’s scoured the tens of thousands of items available for hire on All The Dresses, to bring you his faves, many of which incorporate his style predictions for this season. Check out the Edit at the link below!
Donny’s Edit – Spring Racing 2025 >
Wrapping Up
From polka dots to drop waists, and a colour story led by butter yellow, cobalt and fresh shades of orange, Spring Racing 2025 promises confident, photo-ready looks with real personality. With Donny’s guidance you’re sure to put together an outfit that’s gorgeous, on-trend, and with your own trackside twist.
Ready to stand out at the races? For more detailed fashion advice, don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Spring Racing Style Guide 2025.
Or explore the full All The Dresses’ Spring Racing collection then add headwear, heels and a clutch to finish the look!
